Reform needed to combat unscruplous landlords – Crowe

Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson, Deputy Seán Crowe, is supporting the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) who are urging people attending college from September onwards to guard against unscrupulous landlords.

Deputy Crowe said

“I know of many instances when landlords have failed, with no proper justification, to return the deposits of students or tenants with whom they have let property.  Rather than ensuring tenants comply with the leasing arrangements, some unscruplous landlords are holding on to deposits and coming up with bizarre and unreasonable demands for witholding the deposits.

“Research published by the USI has found that:

•40% of students have had their deposit unfairly withheld.

•75% of cases reported to the PRTB are in relation to the deposit retention.

•Over 60% of students have had over €200 unfairly taken off their deposit.

These statistics are unacceptable and highlight the weakness and lack of regulation in relation to the rented sector where many landlords continue to fllout laws and ignore even basic steps like registering.. There needs to be root and branch reform of this whole sector and local authorities need to be resourced to identifey and take action against those abusing the system.

“I would encourage anyone renting property whilst attending third level education to carefully study the Rent Book and Accommodation Guide that was published last week by the USI.  The information booklet has been produced with the support of Threshold and the Department of the Environment, and it provides practical information on any accommodation issues a tenant may face throughout the college year.

“Sinn Féin also supports the implementation of the Deposit Protection Scheme to protect students and tenants from being ripped off by rogue landlords, and by signing the petition students and their families can make clear their support for the USI campaign.”

Notes to editors: A copy of the Rent Book & Accommodation Guide is available from all students’ unions.